How to Write a Basic eCommerce Business Plan
Business plans are an essential part of any business, according to the Small Business Administration. While the Internet can make running a business easier and more affordable, it does not eliminate the need for a well-thought out business plan. Here's how to write a business plan for your eCommerce business.
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Instructions
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Write the executive summary. This section of the plan summarizes all the aspects of your eCommerce business such as its mission statement and history. Include information about your office, equipment used to run your business and your employees. Finally outline your goals for your eCommerce business such a increased traffic and sales.
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2
Conduct a market analysis. Describe the people who buy from your eCommerce site. What are their demographics (gender, age, etc.)? Explain how you market to get them to visit and buy from your online store.
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Analyze your competition. Provide information about other stores, online and off, that market the same products you do. Explain how their business differs from yours (e.g., Do you waive shipping costs? Do you have faster delivery? Are your products made differently?). Describe how you will set your eCommerce site apart from other businesses.
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Describe the management team that runs your eCommerce business. Indicate who takes care of day-to-day operations such as website management, taking orders, shipping products, marketing, etc. Provide information about the skills and experiences these people have related to running an eCommerce business.
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Describe the daily operations. Outline what happens day to day to run the business including marketing, order taking, and shipping.
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Provide the financial details of the business. List the projected earnings and expenses over the next year. Give information about assets (e.g. computers, products to sell) and liabilities (e.g. loans).
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Add an appendix for additional information. Any information that does not fit into a previous section can be added to the appendix. This includes items such as permits and licenses, contracts and copies of the website.
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Package the sections together into a business plan document. If you will be using your business plan to apply for loans or seek investors, use quality paper and folders to bind the plan into a professional looking report. If you are writing the report simply as a guide, keep it available to all members of the business team for easy reference when decisions about your eCommerce company need to be made.
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